Bishop Lamor Whitehead, the pastor who was robbed during his sermon, was reportedly accused of stealing from a congregant last year.
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A lawsuit filed by Pauline Anderson,56, accused Bishop Lamor Whitehead of convincing her to liquidate her life savings and pay him a $90,000 investment in November 2020. Additionally, he allegedly promised her that he would buy and renovate a home as a gift to Anderson.
Brooklyn Pastor Robbed at Gunpoint During Church Service pic.twitter.com/x8kO3Ye5fl
— No Jumper (@nojumper) July 24, 2022
According to the New York Post, Whitehead reportedly agreed to pay her $100 a month in January 2021 and only paid her back once. Court documents state she asked Whitehead about the status of her home, and he continued to tell her that he was reportedly tied up with his election campaign for Brooklyn Borough President. He allegedly used the money as a down payment for a contract to purchase a $4.4 million home in Saddle River, New Jersey. The contract didn’t fall through, but he purchased a $4.5 million apartment complex in Hartford, Connecticut.
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Anderson mentioned in the lawsuit that she could not get a mortgage due to bad credit, which led to Whitehead offering to help her. She was first introduced to Whitehead through her son Rasheed Anderson in 2020 but learned about the Saddle River contract after he accidentally sent Rasheed an email about the purchase.
The lawsuit claims Anderson trusted Whitehead due to his role in the community as a clergyman, and he also told her that the cash was used to invest in his company.
Anderson is seeking $1 million in damages for his “morally reprehensible acts” and for causing her to lose her life savings.
The Brooklyn pastor has faced criticism for his lifestyle and image.
After the viral video of the robbery spread around social media, Whitehead faced criticism for his extravagant lifestyle due to driving luxury vehicles and designer clothing. In the robbery’s aftermath, he said that his luxury aesthetic didn’t cause the suspects to target him.
“It’s not about me being flashy, It’s about me purchasing what I want to purchase. It’s my prerogative to purchase what I want to purchase.”
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He previously served five years in prison for identity fraud and grand larceny.
4/ Bishop Whitehead previously served 5 years in prison for multiple counts of identity fraud and grand larceny.
Despite his checkered history, Whitehead has enjoyed a close relationship with NYC Mayor Eric Adams, particularly during Adams’ 8 years as Brooklyn borough president.
— George Joseph (@georgejoseph94) July 28, 2022
9/ STORY UPDATE: @yoavgonen drove to the Bishop’s house in Paramus, NJ today. On the door hung a default notice for a half-block of apartments he bought last year in Hartford, CT. It said he hadn’t made mortgage payments since at least June 1. pic.twitter.com/v4jAD2H6Cw
— George Joseph (@georgejoseph94) July 28, 2022
Whitehead nor his attorneys have released a statement regarding the lawsuit.